Fix: Error 0x800f0986 Windows 10 Update

How to solve Error 0x800f0986 Windows 10 Update.

Windows 10 cumulative updates and Feature updates ensure the best performance of a system and new specialties. While attempting to get such patch or build through Windows settings app, error 0x800f0986 may appear that prevent the system from downloading it. The reasons behind this issue could be corruption in update components, misconfigured proxy settings, security application interruption, or third party services and programs.

0x800f0986 stops the updates all of a sudden and displays the error code under the Check for updates button. We have found some effective workarounds for the same as follow –

Error 0x800f0986 Solutions

Here is how to fix Error 0x800f0986 Windows 10 Update –

1] Make sure Windows Update service is enabled

Disabled Windows update related services often lead the system to prevent downloading update files. This configuration is mainly responsible to show error codes in Windows 10. To rectify the issue, you will have to make sure the Windows update service running. For that –

Press Windows and R keys at one go.

Type services.msc in the command box and press Enter.

Locate Windows Update.

Once found, double-click the same to open its properties window.

Click the down arrow icon located beside Startup type and opt for Automatic.

Hit the Start button.

Click Apply followed by OK to exit the window.

2] Run Windows Update troubleshooter

Microsoft came up with this built-in troubleshooter to find out the corruption obstructing Windows update. The utility not only detects the problem causing the problem 0x800f0986 but also puts forward an automatic solution for the same. To run the tool –

Press Win+I to bring the Settings app on the computer screen.

Click on Update & Security.

Choose Troubleshoot from the left sidebar.

Shift to the right pane and click Windows update.

Hit the button Run the troubleshooter.

Click Apply a fix when the troubleshooter recommends a resolution.

To complete the process, go along with the on-screen guideline.

3] Download the most recent Servicing Stack Update

Before proceeding to get the latest SSU, you must know whether you use 32-bit or 64-bit Windows. To do so –

Right-click on Start button and select Settings.

Click System.

Select About from the left column.

From the right pane, check System type.

As of now you know the system architecture, let’s see how to get SSU –

From the available products, pick out the compatible one and download the same.

After downloading, install the product in the usual way.

Reboot Windows 10.

Once the system powers up, check for update.

4] Wipe out the SoftwareDistribution folder

System stores essential Windows Updates files in the SoftwareDistribution folder momentarily. Anything wrong with the same is largely responsible to bring forth update errors in Windows 10. To fix this kind of issue, either delete the folder or rename the same. Steps are as followed –

Click on the taskbar search icon and type in services.msc.

Hit Enter key.

Look for Windows Update present under the Name list.

Once found, right-click on the same and select Stop.

Later on, press Win+E at once and navigate C:\Windows.

Locate SoftwareDistribution folder.

Right-click on the folder then opt for Delete.

Note – If you are afraid of losing data, simply rename the folder instead of deleting.

Whatever you do, the system will re-create the same folder automatically after a reboot.

5] Reset Windows Update component

If error 0x800f0986 still exists after deleting the SoftwareDistribution folder, there is a high chance that Catroot2 is creating the issue. Resetting the update component may help in such a case. Here is how to proceed –

After completion, restart the services you have stopped in earlier commands –

net start wuauservnet start cryptSvcnet start bitsnet start msiserver

Close the Command Prompt and thereafter restart your device.

6] Restrict Antivirus programs to fix error 0x800f0986

Though antimalware programs work to keep our system safe from hazardous threats, often it can end up causing error 0x800f0986. It happens when the security program mistakes update file for malware and obstruct the downloading process immediately. If the same happens with you, disable built-in antivirus along with third-party one. Here is the process –

7] Get the most recent KB manually

Use its search bar to find out the KB number you are having trouble with.

After getting the same, download the package compatible with your Windows 10 and install it.

8] Settle Windows file corruption

Corrupted or missing system components related to Windows update often generates error 0x800f0986. To recover corruption, you will have to run both DISM and SFC command-line utility. Steps to do so are as followed –

Press Win+X and opt for Run.

Type cmd.exe in the text bar and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter altogether.

Click Yes for the UAC.

Copy the below command and paste it after blinking cursor –

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Hit Enter to run the command.

Once the DISM command finishes the scanning process, execute the below command in the same elevated Command Prompt –

sfc /scannow

9] Disable Proxy server

Misconfigured proxy settings are one of the main causes to generate error 0x800f0986 Windows 10 Update. Hence, you need to correct them by following below steps –

Also, make sure the box assigned for Use a proxy server for your LAN (These settings will not apply to dial-up or VPN connections) is unchecked.

Click the OK button to save the changes.

Reboot Windows 10 machine and attempt to download the update.

10] Perform Clean boot to fix error 0x800f0986

When you power on your Windows 10 device, multiple numbers of services start and they keep running until you turn the system off. Though some services are necessary to run the PC smoothly, many of them can cause an issue while updating Windows. Mainly, third-party ones are responsible for this.

Clean boot allows you to run Windows 10 machines with basic services provided by Microsoft. This way, you can be sure if any third-party service is causing error 0x800f0986. According to reports, when you perform a clean boot, errors related to Windows update goes away. So, let’s give it a try –

Press Win+S and type in msconfig.

Press Enter key When you see System Configuration at top of the search result.

When Task Manager appears, right-click on each program present there one after another and chooses Disable for all.

Return to System Configuration wizard and click on Apply followed by OK.

11] Reset Windows 10

There is a time when Windows 10 doesn’t perform the way it should be and throws unexpected error codes. This mostly happens after making any changes in the system. It’s hard to find out which change went against, hence, reset is the only option. Here is the process –

Press Windows key and click gear cog.

Continue with Update & Security.

Opt for Recovery from the left bar.

Move to right pane and click the button Get Started located under Reset this PC.

Choose the option Keep my files.

Click Next button for the pop-up shows which apps will be wiped out during the process.

Hit Reset button to give final consent.

Hold your patient as this process may take one hour or more.

12] Perform an in-place upgrade to fix error 0x800f0986

If error 0x800f0986 stubborn enough and any resolution from above couldn’t solve it, the last thing you can do is updating Windows 10 through the Media creation tool. here’s how –